1 RISE, my soul, to watch and pray,
From thy sleep awake thee,
Lest at last the evil day
Suddenly o'ertake thee;
For the Foe, Well we know,
Oft his harvest reapeth,
While the Christian sleepeth.

2 But first rouse thee, and awake
From secure indiff'rence;
Else will follow in its wake
Woe without deliv'rance.
O beware! Soul, take care!
Death in sins might find thee,
Ere thou look behind thee.

3 Wake and watch, or else thy night
Christ can ne'er enlighten;
Far off still will seem the light
That thy path should brighten;
God demands Eyes and hands
Open for the offers
He so richly proffers.

4 Watch against the Devil's snares,
Lest asleep he find thee;
For, indeed, no pains he spares
To deceive and blind thee;
Satan's prey Oft are they,
Who are soundly sleeping,
And no good watch keeping.

5 Watch against the world that frowns
Darkly to dismay thee;
Watch, when she thy wishes crowns,
Smiling to betray thee;
Watch and see Thou art free
From false friends that charm thee,
While they seek to harm thee.

6 Watch against thyself, my soul,
See thou do not stifle
Grace that should thy thoughts control,
Nor with mercy trifle;
Pride and sin Lurk within,
All thy hopes to scatter;
List not, when they flatter.

7 But while watching, also see
That thou pray unceasing,
For the Lord must make thee free,
Strength and faith increasing,
So to do Service true;
Let not sloth enslave thee;
Pray, and He will save thee.

8 Yea, indeed, He bids us pray,
Promising to hear us,
E'er to be our Staff and Stay,
Ever to be near us.
Ere we plead Will He heed,
Strengthen, keep, defend us,
And deliv'rance send us.

9 Courage then, for all things must
Work for good, and bless us,
If we but in prayerful trust
To His Son address us;
For He will Richly fill,
And His Spirit send us,
Who to Him commend us.

10 Therefore let us watch and pray
Ever without ceasing,
For we know, with every day
Dangers are increasing;
And the end Doth impend,
When the trumpet calleth,
Earth in ruins falleth.